How to Make Your Paperless Office Even More Sustainable
If your office is paperless, relying almost exclusively on digital documents rather than physical
ones, you're already on the right path toward sustainability. But what if you want to take
things a step further? How can already-paperless
offices become even more environmentally
friendly?
Step Up Your “Paperless” Efforts
Your business may practice direct depositing,
digital invoicing, and other strategies designed to
minimize your reliance on paper, but it's very
difficult to make an office truly paperless. One
sustainability initiative you can make is stepping up
your paperless efforts to the next degree; look for even further opportunities to reduce paper
consumption in your office.
For example, you can install a bidet in the bathroom, encouraging your employees to clean
themselves with water, rather than toilet paper. While some people are reluctant to try this
cleaning method, it's actually quite comfortable (as long as you find the right temperature).
You can also discourage people from consuming coffee or other beverages from disposable
cups, offering them travel mugs that can be washed and reused.
Upgrade Your Appliances
What are the major appliances used in your business? Is there a way to upgrade them to
newer, more energy efficient models? If your furnace, air conditioner, or refrigerator is more
than a decade old, it might not run as efficiently as a newer, more sustainable model.
Upgrading appliances can be expensive, but these types of upgrades typically pay for
themselves eventually.
Improve Your Lighting Setup
Pay attention to your lighting setup as well. Improving your lighting conditions can have a
positive effect on mood and productivity, while simultaneously reducing your electric bill and
minimizing the amount of energy your office uses overall.
· Switch to LEDs. Consider switching all of the light bulbs in your office to LEDs, which are
typically much brighter and more energy efficient. These bulbs are also easy to customize
and control, so you can use them to make the light in your office dimmer or brighter – and
choose exactly the right color or temperature for your interior lighting setup.
· Rely on sunlight. You'll use far less electricity if you only turn the lights on when
absolutely necessary. That means relying on sunlight as much as possible, drawing open the
curtains and letting the natural sunshine illuminate the office. Plus, sunlight boosts mood and
productivity and offers a host of other benefits, so your workers will likely be happier with this
arrangement.
· Install motion activated switches. Another potential measure to take is installing motion
activated switches. The lights in your office are off by default; when these sensors detect
motion, they turn the lights on, and when they no longer detect motion, they turn the lights off.
Incentivize Better Transportation Options
How do your employees commute to the office? Is there a way for them to travel more
sustainably? Consider motivating your employees to use one of the following options:
· Carpools. One car on the road is better than four cars on the road. If some of your
employees live close together, they could easily carpool on the way into work, reducing the
amount of fuel consumed for their collective transportation needs.
· Public transportation. If you live in a city with adequate public transportation, encourage
your employees to take it. You could even offer to subsidize public transportation payments
to make it an even more attractive option.
· Biking/walking. Assuming your employees live close enough, you could invite your
employees to bike or walk to work as well.
Be Smart With the Thermostat
Your thermostat setting plays a major role in determining how much energy your office uses.
Consider keeping it slightly colder than usual in winter and slightly warmer than usual in
summer; some of your employees may be slightly less comfortable, but you could greatly
reduce your energy consumption this way.
Assemble a Sustainability Initiative Team
Are you still on the lookout for new ways that you can boost your sustainability and help the
environment? Consider assembling a sustainability initiative team out of your existing team
members. Who, among your employees, is most passionate about protecting the
environment? Would they be willing to spend extra time helping your business in this way?
Document and Calculate Your Impact
If you want to keep accurate tabs on your sustainability efforts and environmental impact, you
should document your efforts and attempt to calculate just how much of an impact they have.
If you want to publicize and earn the reputational benefits of your sustainability
improvements, compile them in a sustainability report.
Going paperless is a big step for your office’s sustainability, but there are far more strategies
you can employ to reduce your environmental impact. If you're willing to invest a bit of time
and money, you can make your business much more sustainable, boost your reputation, and
reduce expenditures in the long term.